The Warriors faithful will be out in force on Sunday to cheer on their heroes and also welcome back Wests Tigers mentor Benji Marshall, one of New Zealand's favourite sons.
The last time Benji brought his Tigers to Go Media Stadium in Round 21 last year they fell 28-16 as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ran riot for the Warriors with 293 metres and six tackle breaks.
The Tigers are coming off an upset win over the Roosters and will fancy their chances of making it two straight with the Fainu brothers and Terrell May showing the way.
After winning their first three games at home the Warriors have dropped their last two against the Raiders and Panthers so coach Andrew Webster will be expecting a response in front of their loyal fans.
Match: Warriors v Wests Tigers
Round 19 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki lines up at fullback in his first NRL game since Round 10 with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad nursing a knee injury. The loss of halfback Luke Metcalf to a season-ending knee injury brings Tanah Boyd into the side while flying winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes an early return from an ankle injury. Maroons star Kurt Capewell is listed among the reserves and will be monitored after Wednesday's decider. Jackson Ford and Leka Halasima both move into the starting side while Tanner Stowers-Smith earns a recall on the bench.
Wests Tigers: Skipper Jarome Luai will look to back up four days after the Origin decider so Adam Doueihi returns to the centres and Luke Laulilii drops out. Hooker Api Koroisau returns from concussion and last week's debutant Tristan Hope goes to the bench. Jack Bird comes back in on the bench after being a late withdrawal last week due to illness. Charlie Murray and Kit Laulilii drop to the reserves.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Sunia Turuva
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco BerryCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tristan Hope
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jacob LabanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Jack Bird
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Charlie Murray
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Bunty AfoaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Kit Laulilii
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Edward KosiReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Brent Naden
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Kurt CapewellReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Luke Laulilii
Warriors Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
- Samuel Healey
- Taine Tuaupiki
- Tanner Stowers-Smith
Wests Tigers Ins
- Apisai Koroisau
- Heath Mason
- Jack Bird
- Jarome Luai
Warriors Outs
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Luke Metcalf
Wests Tigers Ins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won their past eight games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have not defeated the Warriors in New Zealand since 2016.
- The Warriors have won only two of their past five games.
- Wests Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored five tries in his past six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
